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Thursday, August 30, 2007

Its been awhile since I've posted about something Tech related so here is something really cool for those of you that work on computers.

It's called Autopatcher and it basically allows you to download all Windows Updates, hotfixes and patches to an external USB device. You then can take this and plug it into any Windows-based PC and run the application from the key. It will check and see which hotfixes and apps you're machine needs to get it up to date. I use it everytime I build/re-build a PC. It sure beats downloading all these patches everytime!

There are a bunch of other 'extras' in this was well; common registry tweaks and nifty utilities. Best of all, this is FREE. Check this cool little app out!

**Update: Looks like Microsoft has contacted this team and has threatened legal action unless they stop. Well it looks like there is a glimmer of hope that this project will continue in some alternative fashion... check the Autopatcher.com site for updates.

Monday, August 27, 2007

This post isn't about my good looks but rather the name of the neighborhood rock band I am part of for this years Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Benefit taking place in the Carver Bluffs neighborhood on Friday, August 31st. If you want to check it out, feel free to attend! The benefit is at the Zincke's house located at 854 Ramsey Ave in Carver, MN.

There will be 2 Bands: Blue Velveata and Handsome Bastard opening the show. There will also be food, drinks, and lot's of activities for kids like face painting, inflatables. Let me know if you have any questions on the event.

Thursday, August 23, 2007

I finally got one! After months ad months of not being able to play last years' X-mas gift, we made the dive and got a 40" flat panel LCD by Samsung. I've had it up for about a week now and I am still impressed by the quality of the HD picture.

I was originally looking for a 37" sized on but after researching, I discovered not many manufacturers made them. I was impressed by the Samsung models and from what I've heard from friends as well as salespeople in the stores, Samsung was probably the best. Well, Samsung doesn't make a 37"! So I contemplated going bigger due to the room it was mainly going to be in, but decided to do it. I did the whole pricing thing between Circuit City, Ultimate Electronics and Best Buy. I ultimetly went with the latter due to price-matching as well as their Rewards Zone program.

The 1st best thing is I set it up and plugged in the 'rabbit ear' antenna that I aready had running through the house. After plugging it into the new TV, I had about 90% of the channels already in HD quality! KARE 11 and KSTP 5 are probably the best looking because the broadcast in 1080i resolution. The other stations have an "HD" channel but its usually only in 480i res and therefore not as good. The 2nd best thing is that the Xbox 360 simply looks amazing. I can't wait to get gaming on that thing!

For those who have not experienced HD, do it! I have yet to get into the HD/Blu-ray DVD discs but think I will get there some day. Until that day, I am using DVD player that 'upscales' your normal DVD's so they compare closely to the quality of HD/Blu-ray; not bad but not nearly as good as pure HD content.

Monday, August 20, 2007

Wow. All the rain lately has really stirred up things around our house. Seems the rain brought a visitor to our garage yesterday...well thats when we discovered the raccoon (I named it 'Venom'). Shelly discovered it after our dogs went nuts barking at the garage door. She went and opened the door and screamed bloody murder! I came running figuring some accident happened or something only to find out we had a critter in mans territory...the garage.

After clearing the cars out of the garage we found it hiding in the wheelwell of the boat. I tried to get it out by poking it while I was in the boat but ultimately had to reserve to a neighbor to assist me with the effort. After about 10-15 minutes we got it out. I told Shell I could have had it out earlier if I was able t use the bb-gun; she wasn't going to have any of that.

So in addition to the days of rain, our yard is a garden of various mushrooms. Most are growing on old tree stumps in the backyard but I saw them all over as I was mowing the grass between rain showers we've been getting nailed with. So with all the heat and dry weather, we're getting all the rain all at once!

PS: The raccoon pictured here is not "Venom". The actual nemesis was much meaner and scarier. Of course.

Friday, August 17, 2007

Ah, beer. I am not sure if I blogged about this or not but its worth mentioning again. Its Miller Chill. Probably my favorite new beer. I've bought lots of it. I like it cold. I like it with fresh limes squeezed and put into the bottle. It tastes better than Corona. The bottle is green. I bought lots of it. I had a few tonight. I recommend it to friends. I first had this down in Florida when Miller was 'testing' it in that market. Its available up here now. I bought lots of it. You can come over and have one. It's best when really cold. It's been a long week. Ah, beer.

Monday, August 13, 2007

Our pathetic little garden yielded a few tomatoes so far. I picked about 4 of them off last week.. I personally am not fond of tomatoes unless they are part of a bloody mary mix but I may just dice some of these up and mix them in with a salad! Here are some interesting facts about tomatoes.

Thursday, August 2, 2007

So with my days winding down at Black Box, I decided I better follow through with some stuff I wanted to order for my home networking setup in the basement. So with a few days to spare before my last das, I got out the ol' Black Box mail-order catalog and called the number to get my employee pricing on some different shelving. I must say Black Box employees get a deal!

I got 2 center rack shelves, 2 other more petruding shelves along with some rack screws al for under $100! If I was an average Joe Schlub out there and ordered this, I would have paid well over $300. I must say my setup is looking very nice nowdays! Check it out here.